Local Businesses Urged to Become HUBZone Certified
By Cathy Patton
According to EDA Director Rachel Lester, small businesses, local contractors and
entrepreneurs are urged to become HUBZone certified. The certification will increase the
business’ chance of obtaining work/contracts on government sponsored projects, such as
the federal prison.
Because McDowell County is a designated HUBZone (Historically Under Utilized
Business Zone), the designation is advantageous to businesses and organizations engaged
in economic development.
HUBZoned-certified businesses, Lester said, may be eligible to receive price evaluation
adjustments when competing for federal contracts. Moreover, the certification mandates
that many federal prime contractors are obligated to seek and award subcontracts to
HUBZone certified small businesses, like the ones in McDowell County.
The U.S. Small Business Administration regulates and implements the program, in
addition to making the the list of HUBZoned certified businesses to federal agencies in
need of vendors.
“The HUBZone Certification provides a a multiplicity of advantages to McDowell
County businesses. We strongly urge all local businesses to take advantage of the
upcoming workshop that will explain the entire process,” Lester said. “It’s not hard to
do, and we’ll be there to guide them every step of the way.”
A free workshop on how to become HUBZone certified is scheduled for Friday,
November 3, 6 p.m., at the WorkForce Building, Welch. WorkForce is located at Coney
Island, behind Subway.
Additional information on the HUBZone Workshop is available through the EDA at 436-
3833.
